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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
After the British and French armies had been beaten in France by the German army in July 1940 and the British had withdrawn from France and the Channel Islands it was widely believed on both sides of the English Channel that it was only a matter of time before landings took place on the south coast of England. The inhabitants of the Channel Islands fearfully awaited the arrival of the Germans and they preceded their arrival by bombing and straffing the harbour of St George killing several people. The Germans later claimed they thought the British army were still there preparing to defend the island. The Germans army landed unopposed soon afterwards and the long years of occupation began. As in other countries occupied by the Germans in western Europe the people had to decide whether to actively oppose their occupiers or try to endure the occupation as best they could not knowing if the British would be defeated or if they would ever be liberated.
"Island at war" tells the story of the relationship between the occupied and the occupiers and how this changed when an attempt by two British soldiers who landed by boat failed in its attempt to gather intelligence when they had to kill a German soldier who came across them shortly after they landed and their presence was revealed. A manhunt began and the consequences for all concerned were tragic. The Germans are portrayed as either bullies who throw their weight around as occupying soldiers before and since have done or sympathetic to the islanders situation and the islanders are portrayed as either hating their occupiers and working against them when they can or cosying up to them to make life easier or tolerable for themselves. It was the eternal dilema about what people should have done in countries occupied by the Germans during the second world war - to resist or not resist a ruthless force that was much stronger than yourself. Thank God that we in Britain were never called upon to make this choice.
The series is extermely well made, the acting is fine throughout and it intelligently examines the dilema shown in many films about the second world war of how an occupied people should react when they are invaded and liberation is unlikely, uncertain or many years off at best. Philip Glenister and James Wilby are especially good and the production is gripping and the stories are absorbing. It's a pity that a second series was not made as this series showed great promise and many other stories could have been told.
"Island at war" tells the story of the relationship between the occupied and the occupiers and how this changed when an attempt by two British soldiers who landed by boat failed in its attempt to gather intelligence when they had to kill a German soldier who came across them shortly after they landed and their presence was revealed. A manhunt began and the consequences for all concerned were tragic. The Germans are portrayed as either bullies who throw their weight around as occupying soldiers before and since have done or sympathetic to the islanders situation and the islanders are portrayed as either hating their occupiers and working against them when they can or cosying up to them to make life easier or tolerable for themselves. It was the eternal dilema about what people should have done in countries occupied by the Germans during the second world war - to resist or not resist a ruthless force that was much stronger than yourself. Thank God that we in Britain were never called upon to make this choice.
The series is extermely well made, the acting is fine throughout and it intelligently examines the dilema shown in many films about the second world war of how an occupied people should react when they are invaded and liberation is unlikely, uncertain or many years off at best. Philip Glenister and James Wilby are especially good and the production is gripping and the stories are absorbing. It's a pity that a second series was not made as this series showed great promise and many other stories could have been told.
38 of 41 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Having thorougly enjoyed this on TV I was desperate to obtain on DVD and have not been disappointed when re-watching it. Although it is only a few years since on TV it is interesting to see a few of the actors e.g. Laurence Fox becoming more well known. Scenery was magnificent and the acting made me feel for the islanders during this awful time. Am sure it depicted a good view of what happened on the channel islands during the war.
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
After reading the reviews on Amazon, I decided to buy this and really enjoyed every single epsoide. It's a affecting and haunting six part drama of how the Germans invaded Saint Gregory and how it changed many lifes for better or worse. The Dorrs are intresting to watch, finding out their son has returned from war but is a spy and there is something rather intense betweeen Mrs Dorr and the Baron. The Mahys lose the head of their family, their shop and one of the daughters falls for a German. The Jonases have a tougher time as they struggle through questions and the head of the family becoming the driver of the Baron. I do advice people to watch this through without stopping as it's very intense viewing but well worth the hours put in. If there ever was a second series like many want, I want it to focus on the building relationship between Mrs Dorr and The Baron as it was intresting to watch. Everyone played their parts well but it was really Philip Glenister that took my breath away, he was stunning and provided surpising sex appeal. He was the top of the lot, a tough German on the outside but inside very human and that's what could be found disturbing to many. So I recommend this series to anyone who likes world war dramas, a intense story line or just seeing a cast acting their socks off.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
fantastic
This is a fantastic series highly recommend it.I first watched it when it was broadcast on tv and remembered loving it so decided to purchase the boxset.I was not disappointed. Read more
Published 2 months ago by nikki
great series
If you are a WWII buff you will enjoy this series. Well acted, good story line, excellent entertainment. I watched most of it when it was on the telly. Read more
Published 2 months ago by J. F. Conybeare
superb production
This is no cosy little wartime home front story, I was on the edge of my seat from beginning to end and in fact couldn't watch more than one episode at a time. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mrs. V. Dancer
Brilliant
I really enjoyed this series about the war time occupation of the channel islands.It makes you wonder what life could have been like if we had been invaded ourselves. Read more
Published 5 months ago by miss marple
kens review of island at war
i recently purchased this dvd having watched the original story on tv some years ago.Great entertainment and acting as it should be compared to some of the rubbish programmes on tv... Read more
Published 5 months ago by KENNY
Island at War
Enjoyed watching this excellent series again. We loved when it was 1st shown on t.v. and just as much the 2nd time.
Published 11 months ago by Carolann
Educational and entertaining
I think this film has recorded a time in history when Germans and Brits were forced to live together in an entertaining way. Read more
Published 12 months ago by The Pianist
Island at War
Got this for my Mum last year.
This is a series about the German Occupation of the Channel Islands. Read more
This is a series about the German Occupation of the Channel Islands. Read more
Published 17 months ago by The Academate
WAR TIME
I enjoyed this very much, just a pity they did not make another series to show how it finally ended.
Or did they and I could not find it?
Or did they and I could not find it?
Published 19 months ago by AKPAJO
wartime drama
I really enjoyed this series and it opened my eyes to how things were on the Channel Isles during WW2. Read more
Published 20 months ago by June R from Oz
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